Is Father Time About to Catch Up With Frank Gore?

I don't know if it's possible to find someone who has supported Frank Gore less from a fantasy football perspective than I have. Each year I preach that he's about to fall off and each year he proves me wrong.

That's why it'll come as no surprise that I'll preach it again in 2014. I'll get it right eventually (even though it's been a bad call the past few years).

Frank Gore has been, as much as I hate to admit, one of the more productive running backs in the NFL with at least 1,100 rushing yards in 4 of the last 5 years. Couple that with finishing in the top-15 for fantasy owners among running backs 7 out of the last 8 years and you'll wonder how I could ever dislike Frank Gore.

It's nothing personal. Honestly, I don't know much about Frank Gore outside of stats and his fantasy performances. He could be a great guy for all I know. However my job is to look at only the relevant. What's relevant to me is that Frank Gore is on the wrong side of 30, he has some talent behind him at the running back position and his performance has begun to slide.

Not All Doom and Gloom

It's easy to point out the negatives and run with them. I was always taught that you can find any statistic to support the message you're trying to push, regardless of your side. This rings true in most of life, including fantasy football.

I could tell you that Frank Gore had only one 100-yard rushing game in the last 13 games of 2013. I could focus on the fact that he only scored 3 (three!) touchdowns during his final 11 games. But on the flip side, Frank Gore has at least 8 touchdowns in 6 of his 9 seasons. He's never averaged below 4 yards per carry and he's going to remain the primary goal line back in San Fran. I mean, the guy has 25 rushing touchdowns over the last 3 years.

It's All About Perspective

You can clearly jump on either side of the fence and make a declaration. I've been on the train that Frank Gore is bound for decline. I'd rather be off the Frank Gore train a year too early rather than a year too late.

When I play fantasy football I play to mitigate risk and take the safe choice. Frank Gore, to me, is too heavy a risk as my RB2 in 2014. If he slides down the board on draft day I'll certainly consider him. Everyone holds fantasy value, it just varies based on your perspective of the situation.

Declaring Fantasy Value

I expect Gore to see a decline in carries and therefore fantasy points in 2014. If he stays healthy he could operate as a solid RB2 for many owners. He just won't be serving in that role for me.

For those of you who will be happy with Gore as your RB2 I say more power to you. I think RB2 is the position you can afford to be weakest at out of the RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2 and Flex. There's so many guys you can snag late that have a chance to succeed.

Personally I've seen what Frank Gore has done and I'd rather take upside later on.

Do you love Frank Gore and think he's bound for another solid year? Tell me why. I know everyone doesn't hate Gore like I do.

I’m a simple man with simple pleasures. As someone who’s always approached life with the attitude that things could be worse, I’ve had an awesome time so far. I've been a fantasy addict for nearly a decade, and I've loved every second of it.

For the record, I never actually played football. I have no doubt that I would get crushed running across the middle for a pass, every single time.